Pictured above: Mike Rzucidlo is still catching some big trout along Artpark!
Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario
The Wet Net team, led by Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown, came from behind under some difficult conditions to win the Pro Division of the 34th Annual Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament out of Niagara County June 1-2. After a near perfect day that left the Wet Net team in fourth place with a score of 213.32 points (based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound), Lake Ontario kicked up a bit and forced teams to deal with more difficult conditions. Yablonsky and his team of Mike Barry, Jim Dolly, Jr. and Matt’s wife Christin came in with the best score of the day, bringing a 12-fish tournament limit to the scales for the second day in a row and score 231.21 points. Their two-day total was 444.53 points, good enough for the $11,000 check. They narrowly beat out Yankee Troller and Capt. Richard Hajecki of Rochester with a score of 441.57 points. Second place won $6,000. For Yablonsky, he was fishing off Wilson in 120 to 180 feet of water, focusing on water temperatures 50 to 70 feet down. They ran three riggers and four divers to take a limit of fish both days. It was almost all spoons for the Wet Net squad, using UV and Glow magnum Silver Streak spoons in green and chartreuse colors.
James Spinelli and the Hound Dog team from Wellsville swept the Amateur Open class when they won both the Friday and Saturday contests. Also on the team were Jeremy Beckwith and Brian Insley, both of Wellsville. They fished the Niagara Bar both days in 200 to 250 feet of water. Best lures were Moonshine and Michigan Stinger spoons with anything orange in color. The 22-pound king came on an A-Tom-Mik stud fly and a two face double crush white flasher. They, too, were fishing 50 to 70 feet down with riggers, divers and 300-foot copper wire rigs. After winning the first day with a score of 79.87 points ($900) for their best three fish and a big fish of the day at 22 pounds ($250), they duplicated the 3-fish win with a score 57.97 points ($900). They also had the best two day total among the amateurs, giving them the Amateur Cup, a check for $500 and a Raymarine Dragonfly 7 unit. Big Fish for the second day went to American Dream led by Rick O’Hara of Ransomville with a 12.90 pound king.
Lower Niagara River action for trout was good the past week, but those fish are on the way out due to warming water temps. Smallmouth bass action has been good on tubes and swim baits. Shore action for bass and the occasional trout was good along Artpark. Upper Niagara River action for bass has been decent but you must use artificial baits if you are targeting bass. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls is still doing well on northern pike in the upper river tossing jigs and plugs at those fish. It’s National Fishing and Boating through June 10th, a nationwide celebration of these popular outdoor pastimes. At the top of the list for June 9th will be a Kids fishing derby at West Canal Marina Park, Pendleton from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For the weekend of June 16, remember that’s the opening of the regular bass season in New York. There are quite a few events that coincide with this special day. There will be a Wilson Conservation Club kids fishing derby on June 16 in any public Niagara County waters based on length of the fish being caught. No trout or salmon are eligible. The fishing will be from 8 a.m. to noon. There’s also a new Huck Finn Division that you might want to find out about by calling 930-7500. That same day will be a kids fishing derby on the upper Niagara River out of Niawanda Park sponsored by the City of Tonawanda from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration starts at 8 a.m. That same day there will be the 1st Annual Brauer’s Fishing Club Smallmouth Bass Contest from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eligible waters include the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. For more information contact Dave or Kathy Muir at 695-5552. June 16 is also the opening of the Great Lakes muskellunge season.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario Report
Anglers have been finding a good brown trout bite in 20-40 feet of water with stickbaits and small spoons. Reports from the weekend indicated there was some good salmon action in 80-150 feet of water down 40-60 from the surface. Spoons seemed to be the bait of choice with green being a popular color. The wind was an issue earlier this week so we will have to see how conditions set up with the calm waters.
Oswego River Report
The water level has been up and down over the last few days running between 3,500cfs and about 9,000cfs. This morning it is flowing at 7,540cfs. Anglers are continuing to take walleye with stickbaits. Sheepshead and smallmouth bass have also been active but remember it is catch and release with artificial lures only for bass.
Notice: The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. For more information, visit our website at visitoswegocounty.com and click on the Fishing Report along the top bar on the home page.
Pulaski Area and Salmon River Report:
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The fishing has been very good on Lake Ontario. Brown trout have been very active in 8-40 feet of water along the eastern end of the lake. Anglers are finding a few salmon in the deeper water but they are more active to the west near Oswego.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
On Sunday we had eight anglers on the run. One reported nymphing in the lower section catching two beautifully colored 9” brown trout. The remaining anglers did well with smallmouth bass. Applications included swinging flies and swinging a 2” floating minnow lure. Overall these eight anglers brought 25 bass to hand. Over the last couple of days, there has only been three anglers on the run but they have had success with smallmouth bass. The water flow is running at 185cfs.
Oneida Lake Report:
Over the weekend the walleye action was spotty but good in those areas. Anglers are targeting 15-35 feet of water with a little more action in the upper end of that water depth. Bucktail jigs and blade baits are getting the job done. Pickerel have been taking stickbaits and crankbaits and a few nice northern pike have been reported. Perch action is increasing and the bullhead bite has been good in the evening.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The walleye bite has been good on the pond and there is some perch action too. Anglers are also finding some bass which are catch and release only until the season opens June 16. Stickbaits, crankbaits, jigs, small minnows and nightcrawlers are working well.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The spring kings are still hitting, from Hughes’ Marina and straight out from Sodus Bay.
They have been in 150 to 180 fow down anywhere from 50 to 90 feet. Off the wire has been the best presentation this week, however riggers are also working. Green glow seems to be the best color.
The kings are 10 to 15 pounds on average, although some nice 20 plus pounders are being netted.
Lake trout are hitting cowbells and peanuts down 150 fow.
The 2018 spring king bite continues!!!
Bays
Bass season starts June 16 in all Wayne County waters. Great bass locations are Sodus, Port, and Blind Sodus Bays. And the Erie Canal.
Currently, the perch are hitting at the north end of Port Bay. They are also still in Sodus Bay. This is the time of year where the perch head to Lake Ontario and you can catch them in shallow water…10 feet or less.
The bullhead bite never really happened this year. It could be the colder water temperatures. What ever it was there was no action on Bay Bridge
The DEC docks are in place, so launching is a simple process.
Erie Canal
The launch site at Widewaters was busy Sunday. They were probably targeting crappies, catfish and perch. The channel cats will hit worms or cut shrimp. Use a number 1 hook with the sinker 12 inches below.